Ep018 - Ashley Ruba: How to launch a fulfilling non-academic career?

Science on Trial [and Error]

What does a Human Factors Engineer do? What can lead to a decision to exit academia, and what can drive someone to share their transition publicly? What are the do's & don'ts of job hunting?

Our guest is Ashley Ruba - an American researcher, currently working as a Human Factors Engineer at Arthrex. Ashley is also a founder of After Academia, a coach and a career strategist advising fellow PhDs seeking to transition out of academia and supporting them in launching fulfilling non-academic careers.

In this episode, Ashley provides a glimpse into her daily life and work experiences. She demystifies the world of UX Research and shares the true story behind the origins of Human Factors Engineering. Ashley and Kasia discuss the often-ignored toll of academic careers on mental health. From the pressures and toxic culture of academia to the self-rediscovery found in leaving, Ashley shares the challenges she faced for speaking out during her transition and navigating the subsequent backlash.

But this conversation isn't just about career choices - keep listening till the end where it gets even more personal and insightful. In a candid moment, Ashley reveals her recent autism diagnosis and the impact it had on her perception of self and interactions with others. Together, Kasia and Ashley engage in a heartfelt dialogue about destigmatizing health issues and advocating for workplace accommodations, emphasizing that no job is worth sacrificing mental health. As the conversation unfolds, Ashley reflects on her aspiration to write a memoir, tracing her path of growth, self-discovery, and the embrace of a growth mindset.

Tune in as Ashley offers invaluable resources, identifies common pitfalls to avoid, and imparts strategies for navigating career transitions. As Ashley said: You have all the answers that you’re looking for. Get out of your own way! Enjoy and welcome Ashley Ruba! -------------

If you would like to support the Podcast, you can buy me a coffee ⁠here⁠ - Thanks :)

Find Ashley and sign up for her newsletter through her website, but also on LinkedIn⁠, Twitter (X) and ⁠Instagram⁠.⁠

Ashley earned her MS and PhD in Developmental Psychology at the University of Washington in Seattle, followed by a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She decided to leave her academic career a little bit over 2 years ago. Frustrated by the job insecurity and political nature of academia, she decided to speak out rather than quietly fade away like so many others. Ashley’s candid posts detailing her career transition went viral, sparking conversations and requests for advice from hundreds of individuals in similar situations. She then briefly worked in Consulting before starting as UX Researcher at Meta.

Today, Ashley not only navigates her own career path but also extends a guiding hand to fellow PhDs. She is the founder of After Academia, a platform dedicated to offering coaching, strategic advice, and support to those seeking to transition out of academia and into fulfilling non-academic careers.

Ashley’s book recommendations: Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao; $100M Offers: How To Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No by Alex Hormozi -------------

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If you would like to support the Podcast, you can buy me a coffee ⁠here⁠ - Thanks :)

Look for Kasia's BookTube channel Reading In-Between ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Music and Sound Engineering: Lukasz Kowalski